Post by Dirt on Apr 26, 2021 22:20:54 GMT -5
DirtVision Presents:
TMBSL - 3005 Pre-Season Power Rankings
29.
Washington Bullets - Eric Projections: 16-66-Yawn is still in the rebuild swing especially after sending out Conley for a 1.3. I’m not sure how I feel about the trade but he did gain a net positive after selecting Conley at 1.4 a couple years ago. He has 2 bigs on his roster and not much else. It will take some draft luck and a few more years to get Washington back into the playoffs.
28.
San Antonio Spurs - Eric Projections: 27-55-This is expected after the devastating loss of Rodney McCray. The Spurs roster also has a couple of good bigs but just don’t have anything in the wing department. They have a solid pick coming up and hopefully SA can get a fortunate draft selection that can turn the franchise around. This year they are a guaranteed ceiler dweller.
27.
Charlotte Hornets - Eric Projections: 24-58-The upgraded-less Charlotte Hornets have a lot of young talent but is behind on improvements. A rookie just can’t be very good if they don’t get their upgrades and this shows. I like a couple of his pieces especially Rogers but I just don’t see them going anywhere until fecta gets a bit more active.
26.
Atlanta Hawks - Eric Projections: 35-47-I’m a little baffled at the projections of 35 wins with this roster. We all know JHB is in the middle of a rebuild and his roster doesn’t look good at all. I think he stays towards the bottom of the rankings just waiting for his picks to unfold. The most interesting thing on the Hawks roster is how Bo gets upgraded and how he will develop.
25.
New York Knicks - Eric Projections: 23-59-Ank has done great work stealing and reselling Granger and also received a free Rakovic from odin that should keep his team good enough to beat some teams. He has some great picks coming up and he would say the death star is getting closer to completion.
24.
Vancouver Grizzlies - Eric Projections: 35-47-The grizzlies should be able to beat some teams the first 60 days of the season with some nice vets on their roster. They have a couple young pieces as well so they could be dangling around the 8 seed until they sell of their crew. Druce is another team that is buying and reselling getting ready to start his top draft picks in a year or so.
23.
Los Angeles Clippers - Eric Projections: 24-58-LA isn’t ready to do anything in the western conference this season. His projections could be a bit strange because of the two key rookies he will be playing this season. Even after the Plus 74 upgrades it won’t be enough to get into the playoffs this season. This year’s draft is very crucial for the LA franchise moving forward.
22.
Toronto Raptors - Eric Projections: 35-77-The Raptors have some good young pieces in the front court and Nash and Hunt are interesting pieces to add. Toronto has some picks coming up and are continuing to build throughout the draft. He will most likely sell off Nash and continue to stack assets. We will see what happens with Luther and if he can live up to that top 5 selection.
21.
Sacramento Kings - Eric Projections: 29-53-Sidney Green is still a monster and pairing him with Blatche should be enough to win some games this season. We will see what happens in sac-town if he decides to sell or wait out his 1.3 draft pick coming up in a couple years. Unfortunate his rookies don’t seem as good as he hoped but they still need some upgrades to determine where they are this season.
20.
Seattle SuperSonics - Eric Projections: 29-53-The Sonics are still in a rebuild phase and have some solid young talent on their roster. They may just need to add a true stud to get the ball rolling to make another playoff performance this season. I know GM Tim has some solid picks coming up and hopefully he can snag a guy in the new few years. He has a new project PG on his hands and with some TLC could possibly become a good player in Seattle. There is no rush for Tim to sell picks off so he’s taking late lotto selections and doing what he needs to do to stock pile assets.
19.
Orlando Magic - Eric Projections: 40-42-Orlando is doing a solid job drafting at the positions they have been at. Getting some solid guys late in the draft and putting together a nice young squad. Without an upgraded wing will hurt this roster but he has some 1.1 that are coming very soon. This draft will really boost Orlando with whoever he decided to draft. Until then he will be around the 8 seed in the East and at the end of the season will probably be on the outside looking in.
18.
Phoenix Suns - Eric Projections: 34-48-Some GMs will be surpsied I put PHX here but I really like their roster. I think an upgraded Penny to put along side Splitter and Bogut will get them to battle for the last playoff spot in the West. I’m not sure if that ‘s going to be enough for them when it’s all said and done. I know Luck is trying to make some moves so we will see what happens as the season unfolds.
17.
Dallas Mavericks - Eric Projections: 39-43-Another off-season another big blow for the Mavs. Losing Nash and Dickerson is going to hurt this roster. They should sneak into a playoff spot by just relying on their multiple bigs to get the job done. I’m sure Soup has some things up his sleeves and has some picks to throw around and try to improve this roster as the season progresses.
16.
Pittsburgh Pipers - Eric Projections: 43-39The Pipers are starting to get their groove with another solid TC from their 2nd year pro Webster. They have a good enough roster to battle for the final playoff spot in the East. They will pair their two young wings along side ol reliable Serg make a serious push and find themselves in the 7-8 seed.
15.
Chicago Stags - Eric Projections: 43-39-Troy has really made some great draft picks and trades to get his team nearly complete after a 5 year build. His two bigs are top notch and maybe Gilabale and Rider can improve enough to get them into the playoffs this year for the first time in Stags History. If he can find a PG in the draft this team will be dangerous in a couple years.
14.
Miami Heat - Eric Projections: 38-44-I think Heat become a playoff team as soon as they get their upgrades into Webber and Mashburn. Two studs in the same draft and I can see adding those 2 with d-will being a dangerous combination. He does have some solid picks he can trade if he can find the right deal. It will be interesting to see how these two improve over the next couple seasons and how far the heat can go.
13.
Portland Trail Blazers - Eric Projections: 46-36-The Blazers have had a solid roster the last couple years and this season is no different. Depending on how things unfold they could be as low as the 7 seed to a good shot at winning the division. His PG position has kind of held him back the past couple of seasons and another year of Belov falling may hurt him.
12.
Los Angeles Lakers - Eric Projections: 47-35-The better LA team has a solid chance to win the Pacific division. I do think losing Wittman hurts but Pete has had 2 amazing 2nd round talents come in and complete this roster. Adding the coach on the floor Doc should help this team tremendously. He’s been missing a floor general with his inside offense and this should help. Two stud bigs in Gasol and Slokar should be enough to battle with Portland.
11.
Chicago Bulls - Eric Projections: 48-34-Mike has put together a 2 headed monster but just hasn’t filled out the roster. The Bulls have arguably the best tandem in the league but we’ve seen the last two seasons it’s just not enough. The wheel has turned and Mike has some ammo, so let’s see what he does with his picks this season. I would love to see a solid addition to this team.
10.
Cleveland Cavaliers - Eric Projections: 48-34-The winners of the off-season make a big jump in 3005. They added Wes Matthews late last year and got a stud Wing in McCray to go alongside McHale and Lasme. They will be an interesting team to follow this season. The East is pretty close and if he can add a decent wing to this roster look out.
9. Golden State Warriors - Eric Projections: 47-35
-Ward mad some bold moves last season bringing in a couple of really good vets in Riva and Williams. I think he make some moves and continues his path to get his team in a position for a title. I would guess he get’s another Inside focus type PG, Riva will get his +15 upgrades this season and with the addition to Dickerson it will be tough to not pick the Warriors to win the division.
8.
Charlotte Bobcats - Eric Projections: 49-33-Upgrading Estes fully should help the Bobcats and what could have been last season if Estes was left alone. The addition of Granger should also help odin get back to where he was. His outside focus offense has really worked out for him. He lost Butler but adding Whitman doesn’t really change must from his 3rd wing position. As long as Bootsy continues to be a monster the Bobs will have a chance in the playoffs.
7.
Indiana Pacers - Eric Projections: 55-27-The Pacers were a bit of a surprise last season but Drexler will always give the fans in Indy a show. He didn’t add a lot this off-season but getting a young big to add to this roster should help him in the playoffs. Another TC for Bynum could put Indy over the top and his improvements could push the Pacers into the finals.
6.
Milwaukee Bucks - Eric Projections: 45-37-Trofie’s Bucks were a huge disappointment last year and I think Gates turns it around this season. Horford and Gates are just too good for the Bucks to fall flat again. With improvements to Vazquez losing Hines will be an afterthought. I think the GM in the Milwaukee is too talented to let this roster continue to fall short. I truly believe the Bucks make a push for the #1 seed.
5.
Philadelphia 76ers - Eric Projections: 57-25-The tandem of Carr and Ellis is just top of the line. Bankz will most likely need to add another wing to really become the favorite out East. He has assets he can move but will he find a trade partner to get the proper piece for a third title? He has some young talent that can fill the hole but will it be enough? I can see the Sixers fighting for a division but I do think they fall short.
4.
Minnesota Timberwolves - Eric Projections: 56-26-CP3 is a demi god you 2k kids would say and he can put enough damage on teams to win a division title and become the #1 seed in the West. Losing Oldhamm isn’t a big enough blow to really change this teams’ trajectory. I can see another MVP in Paul’s future and possibly take it all the way to the Finals.
3.
Texas Chaparrals - Eric Projections: 56-26-The defending TMBSL champs bring back nearly the same roster. After the loss of their 3rd big I’m not sure that’s enough for them to lose the #1 spot in the West. Depending on the improvements of Granger to this roster you can argue they got better. After the upgrades of McRoberts they should be in the same boat as when they had James Ray. They started out last season dominate and kind of faded. If they can duplicate last year they should be the 1 seed once again.
2.
Carolina Cougars - Eric Projections: 59-23-Carolina brought back the same roster minus their 4th big Jason Smith. They have an elite roster and had progressively been getting better each year. I think this is the year they break through and make the TMBSL Finals. Another stout TC for Maye should net them a division win and possibly the #1 seed.
1.
Brooklyn Nets - Eric Projections: 61-21-BK’s Nets are the projected preseason FRAC favorites going into the 3005 season. With the addition of Conley and Wrenn it gives them the team to beat so far. They gave up a shot blocking to run a more inside focus offense that can score very similar to the other 4 teams that have win titles in the past. BK also has the deepest team in the league and should be the #1 seed moving into the post season.
